Sree Vallabha Kshetram in Tiruvalla, Kerala is a temple dedicated to Maha Vishnu and is one among the 108 divyadesams , a temple which has captivated my interest very much, in recent times. Sree meaning Mahalakshmi and Vallabha means Her husband, hence the deity here known as Sree Vallabha. The temple is constructed in typical Kerala architecture . Set in picturesque surroundings, the temple has exquisite carvings and murals. The flag mast here is 50 feet tall, carved out of a single rock with Garuda's image atop and is believed to have been created by the legendary craftsman Perumthachan. This temple has something additional than the flag mast,a Garudathara , which is unique and appeared magnificent. This also has a Garuda's image atop.There are sub shrines around the temple for Ayyapa , Karuppaya swamy etc.
Interesting facts-
The flag mast is believed to touch the underground water level.
Also known among divyadesam as Tiruvalavazh- Vishnu, Kolapira Perumal,
Moolasthanam is outside the West gopuram.
Kathakali is performed here almost everyday in the evenings.
How to reach-This temple is situated in Pathanamthitta District. There is a rail station in Tiruvalla and this temple is 2 1/2 Kms. from the town. The nearest airports are Trivandrum/ Kochi . the former being a little closer to Tiruvalla.
Accommodation- recommend either stay in Trivandrum or Kochi as one gets plenty of choices.
Photos
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMcTw1h__aaDVaz2k8TQ4O1gRQ_BYlsOEHLy0bx
Interesting facts-
The flag mast is believed to touch the underground water level.
Also known among divyadesam as Tiruvalavazh- Vishnu, Kolapira Perumal,
Moolasthanam is outside the West gopuram.
Kathakali is performed here almost everyday in the evenings.
How to reach-This temple is situated in Pathanamthitta District. There is a rail station in Tiruvalla and this temple is 2 1/2 Kms. from the town. The nearest airports are Trivandrum/ Kochi . the former being a little closer to Tiruvalla.
Accommodation- recommend either stay in Trivandrum or Kochi as one gets plenty of choices.
Photos
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMcTw1h__aaDVaz2k8TQ4O1gRQ_BYlsOEHLy0bx
The temple is indeed very beautiful. Thiruvalla is known to be lush and green and the surrounding says so. Thanks Chitra. I just noticed your other 2 blogs and I am hopping there right away
ReplyDeleteChitra
ReplyDeleteIts very near to my hometown Changanassery. In the temple there is a sub deity known as kurayappa swamy. A belief exists that offering kannan kula to this deity will remove the illness of cough.
I like your description of flag mast- 50 ft tall, single rock with Garuda on top. I can see it in pictures.
ReplyDeleteBindu, Thanks. This is the best temple I have seen in recent times.
ReplyDeleteAswathy, I had visited Chengannasery to see a temple.I have mentioned abt. Karuppayaswamy in the blog. Did you miss it?But that kannan pazham offering is news to me. Thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteKiran, Thanks. Happy you loved my description.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful temple and majestic dwajasthamba.The details supplemented by Aswathi Babu make it an interesting place.I had visited Changanaserry but never had the good fortune to vist this temple that is closeby.One needs God's grace even to visit the temple,I believe
ReplyDeleteThanks KP, I was sure you would love it.hence sent the messg.
ReplyDeleteWow that flag post is so impressive and especially when you find out it was carved from a single piece of stone.
ReplyDeleteGlad to be back visiting you, apologies for my absence, I'm so excited to read of your latest venture, your jewellery is beautiful.
Lovely temple and wonderful description .
ReplyDeleteBeautiful temple, so timeless. A question why do they paint him blue? Is there a symbol?
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a friend and stopping by my blog. I always look forward to your visits.
The flag mast is believed to touch the underground water level.
ReplyDeleteinteresting facts
nice pics
I always love reading your post..it is so well written n full of information..your gorgeous pics are an added bonus..
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Temple!
Happy V day to you n your loved ones :)
US Masala
PW, I fully understand , no need for any apologies, at times it happens, I am also a bit irregular these days. Some work keeps popping up, keeps me away from the p.c I am happy to see that you like my new hobby too. Thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteTeam G Square
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot.
Hummer, Lord Vishnu is always considered as Shyam varna or Neela megha Varnan meaning black ,dark or sky blue coloured that is how He is depicted in our mythology. You are always in my list of virtual friends :) so always peep in to see your posts.
ReplyDeleteSm, thanks.
ReplyDeleteAipi,
ReplyDeleteThanks you so much and belated V.day wishes.
Very serene, enjoyed this visit
ReplyDeleteBhagya, Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNice and calm place...
ReplyDeleteFINALLY yayyyyyyyyy this place I have been too but when i was very young (I hope i am right now and this is the same ) , 8th class i was in when we went on a school trip
ReplyDeleteand the pics again beautiful... :) thanks for sharing
Bikram's
Dear Chitra,
ReplyDeleteGood Evening!
It's a beautiful temple and the premises are so good.The temple tank is amazing!
The aanakkottil and elephant are so attractive.
Wishing you a lovely evening,
Sasneham,
Anu
Sushma, thanks
ReplyDeleteBikram - So you have visited Kerala Good Yaar.... Happy it helped to refresh your memory.
Anupama, Thanks a lot dear.
Chitra,
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a very important temple. I wish you had posted some Kathakali videos as well!
I like the silver lamp showing Lakshmi being bathed by elephants. The large elephant outside looks alive!
Wow. As usual a wonderful blog post. The architecture appears different from other temples too. Very nice pictures.
ReplyDeleteArchana, thanks . Let me see if I can add a video.The elephant- It is the temple elephant. Most of temples in Kerala own elephants as they are used for daily rituals.
ReplyDeleteA, thank you so much.........
ReplyDeleteSo,the elephant IS alive! I should have guessed.
ReplyDeleteFascinating place, thanks for showing us! God, there's so much to see in India, it never ends. Hope i van travel there one day! Happy weekend Chutra!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo rendition of a lovely temple..
ReplyDeleteMartina, thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteSridharan, thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Chitra, thanks for posting such beautiful photos. I have visisted the temple only once. There is a story shared by my mother regarding the temple. The idol is decorated only once a year in temple as the story goes that the lord used to be decorated everyday in chandan and used to look so handsome that a lady desired her husband to be as handsome as the god. The minute the lady had such thoughts, the idol turned black. So to this day, the idol is smeared with chandan only once a year
ReplyDeletern
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing the story associated with the temple. these kind of information we hardly get to know when we visit the temple for a few minutes.
The visit is still fresh in mind and the Garudathara is awesome..